Best Children's Books About School

96+ Children's Books About School

When excitement over show-and-tell causes Fiona to miss a bathroom break, Felix, her teacher Miss B., and a classmate's trick goldfish reassure her that little accidents are quickly forgotten. Full color.

Discover a treasure trove of beautifully illustrated books with our new series, G+D Vintage! Featuring books from our Wonder Books line originally published in the 1940s, 50s, and 60s, there’s something for every reader in these timeless stories with classic illustrations.
Busby the school bus might be old and clankety, but the children adore him. The adults, however, think he’s ready for the junkyard. Busby decides to run away, and soon finds himself upside down in a field! Thankfully, the children come to the rescue and convince the townspeople to give him a spiffy upgrade. Busby has never looked better!

Llama Llama likes to sing.
Gilroy laughs at everything.
Llama sings out just the same.
Gilroy says a not-nice name.
Teacher has some things to say:
calling names is not OK.
Llama Llama is learning lots of new things at school and making many friends. But when Gilroy Goat starts teasing him and some of their classmates, Llama Llama isn’t sure what to do. And then he remembers what his teacher told him—walk away and tell someone. It works! But then Llama Llama feels badly. Can he and Gilroy try to be friends again?

Fans of Princess Posey and Ivy and Bean will enjoy rooting for Jada Jones as she runs for student council in this easy-to-read chapter book. As a candidate for class representative, Jada is ready to give the campaign her all. But when rumors start to fly about her secret fear of public speaking, she isn't sure who she can trust. And the pressure to make promises she can't keep only adds to her growing list of problems. Is winning even worth it when friendships are on the line? This easy-to-read story--with plenty of pictures and a charming, relatable cast of characters--is a sure winner. The early chapter book bridges between leveled readers and chapter books for fluent readers adjusting to the chapter book format. At about 5,000 words, with short chapters and two-color art on almost every page, it will appeal to this unique reader. The two-color art throughout will help readers transition from the familiar four-color art of leveled readers and ease them into black-and-white chapter books.

Fans of Tim Federle and Louis Sachar will love this hilarious story of what happens when the non-jocks kidnap their sports-obsessed school's beloved mascot. Seventh-grade playwright Olive Henry is frustrated by her middle school's lack of appreciation for anything but sports. While the principal drones on and on during morning announcements about the sports teams' victories, all non-athletic club meetings are relegated to the school basement, never to be mentioned on the loudspeaker. So Olive and her best friend, Reynaldo, hatch a plan to kidnap the school's capybara mascot, planning to return it, heroically, just in time for the school's pep rally and claim a reward: permission for their drama club to practice in the auditorium. And, hopefully, some overdue respect for the school's non-athletes. But when an animal-rights student activist and an undercover athlete with murky motivations join in the conspiracy, their plans--along with Cappy the capybara--veer wildly out of Olive's control.

A young boy enjoys his first day at school in this story that addresses such questions as: Who will help me find my classroom? Who's in my class? Where do I sit? When can we go home? and many more. Includes tips for reading with young children.

In this next book in the preschool series, Time for School! shows how the whole community comes together for the first day of class. Mr. Meyer picks out his nicest sweater, Dylan ties his favorite shoes—and Mrs. Martinez, the crossing guard, has been waiting for this day all summer long. She joins the bus driver, the school principal, the lunchroom and playground staff, and, of course, all of the teachers, as they welcome the children of Tinyville Town Elementary back to school. And when a new girl shows up, everyone knows just what to do to make her feel right at home.

On the first day of first grade, there will be lots of fun! This is the perfect book to share with a kindergartner getting ready for the step up to "big kid" school! From choosing books to read to building things with clay to performing in a play, there are many exciting firsts to look forward to. Saying good-bye to mom and dad can be hard, but when the school bus pulls up, it’s time for some first-grade fun! This engaging, vibrant adaptation of “The Twelve Days of Christmas” helps show parents and children alike that there is no place cooler than a first-grade classroom. Tish Rabe, a seasoned children’s book author of over 160 books, puts a novel spin on a first-day-of-school classic with On the First Day of First Grade.

Froggy’s mother knows that everyone’s nervous on the first day of school. “Not me!” says Froggy, and together they leapfrog to the bus stop — flop flop flop. Froggy’s exuberant antics will delight his many fans and reassure them that school can be fun.

Miss Garrett’s classroom is like every other at our school. White kids sit on one side and black kids on the other. I’m one of the few middle-rowers who split the difference. In a racially polarized classroom in 1970 Alabama, Lu’s talent for running track makes her a new best friend—and tests her mettle as she navigates the school’s social cliques. Sixth-grader Lu Olivera just wants to keep her head down and get along with everyone in her class. Trouble is, Lu’s old friends have been changing lately—acting boy crazy and making snide remarks about Lu’s newfound talent for running track. Lu’s secret hope for a new friend is fellow runner Belinda Gresham, but in 1970 Red Grove, Alabama, blacks and whites don’t mix. As segregationist ex-governor George Wallace ramps up his campaign against the current governor, Albert Brewer, growing tensions in the state—and in the classroom—mean that Lu can’t stay neutral about the racial divide at school. Will she find the gumption to stand up for what’s right and to choose friends who do the same?

Skippyjon Jones really wants to go to school. School is for dogs, his mama tells him. It’s where they go to get trained. But nothing can stop Skippy-once inside his closet, he finds himself on the playground of his imagination, surrounded by dogs of all kinds. He bays with the beagles, learns French with the poodles, and checks out a Chihuahua book from the library. And when a bully starts sending shiver-itos down the spines of the little yippers, Skippy saves the day and earns the biggest gold star.

Enjoy the first day of school with Spot!
It’s Spot’s first day of school! He and his friends sing together, play together, and read together. When it’s time to go home, Spot can’t wait to come back tomorrow! Young readers will love going to school with their favorite puppy Spot.

This series of board books has been designed specifically with toddlers in mind. Each story has been created to attract the attention of even the youngest reader and, with fun illustrations throughout, children will be enchanted by these simple, cheerful tales. What are the animals doing? One of them is waking up, a little reluctantly, another one is brushing his teeth, while another is having breakfast in between yawns, as another leaves home with his school bag. Young readers will recognise these familiar activities from their own daily routines as they enjoy this charming book about getting ready for a new day in class with their friends.

Benno is really excited about his first day at school. But there's one problem: Mommy! "DON'T GO TO SCHOOL!" she wails. "STAY HERE WITH ME!" Can the brave little bear convince Mom that everything's okay? He comes up with an ingenious idea to help her adjust--one that many parents will recognize. Kids will love this laugh-out-loud twist on a familiar theme.

Let the countdown to kindergarten begin! This engaging picture book captures a child's excitement as the big day nears. Just 10 more sleeps till school starts! A young child happily anticipates the arrival of the first day of kindergarten--the new clothes he'll wear, the lunch he'll pack, the bus he'll ride, the friends he'll make, and the fun things he'll do in class. Reassuring and joyful, with rhyme kids will love to read aloud, it's the perfect book to welcome in the school year.

When a class leaves for recess, their just-baked Gingerbread Man is left behind. But he’s a smart cookie and heads out to find them. He’ll run, slide, skip, and (after a mishap with a soccer ball) limp as fast as he can because: “I can catch them! I’m their Gingerbread Man!”
With help from the gym teacher, the nurse, the art teacher and even the principal, the Gingerbread Man does find his class, and he’s assured they’ll never leave him behind again.
Teachers often use the Gingerbread Man story to introduce new students to the geography and staff of schools, and this fresh, funny twist on the original can be used all year long. Includes a poster with fun activities!

Zack Delacruz is back—and this time he has a crush! Zack really wants to meet Abhi, the new girl at school. But things get off to a rough start when he accidentally knocks her to the ground during a game of dodgeball. And whenever he tries to make amends, she just ignores him. Nothing works—not his friends’ advice or his “lucky” cologne. In fact, he just seems more and more cursed! Then, at the Fall Fiesta-val, Zack finally learns the real reason behind Abhi’s cold shoulder . . . but not before total chaos erupts. With a runaway train, exploding confetti-filled eggs, and Abhi’s terrifying older brother, will Zack ever get a chance to talk to his crush? In the end, Zack learns what it means to to listen and to be a good friend. This dynamite sequel captures the middle-school experience—and will keep readers laughing from beginning to end.

Zack Delacruz is unnoticed at his middle school--and that's just the way he likes it. But a school assembly, a typhoon of spit, and an uncharacteristic moment of bravery are all it takes to change everything. Suddenly Zack is in charge of the class fundraiser. Worse, his partner is the school's biggest bully! If they don't sell all the chocolate bars, there will be no dance for the sixth grade. Zack never wanted to be a hero, but with his classmates' hopes on the line, can he save the day?

Zack Delacruz is unnoticed at his middle school—and that’s just the way he likes it. But a school assembly, a typhoon of spit, and an uncharacteristic moment of bravery are all it takes to change everything. Suddenly Zack is in charge of the class fundraiser. Worse, his partner is the school’s biggest bully! If they don’t sell all the chocolate bars, there will be no dance for the sixth grade. Zack never wanted to be a hero, but with his classmates’ hopes on the line, can he save the day?

Middle school is a test, but Cici Reno has all the answers. She's the go-to girl for advice. She's cool, she's funny, and she's enlightened (thanks to yoga classes at her mom's studio). So when her pretty BFF, Aggie, is too shy to speak to the boy she's crushing on, Cici goes online and does the talking for her. The only problem is, Cici starts to fall for the guy herself! For the first time in her life. she doesn't have a clue.

Lucy has her school things ready. She has a new grey skirt, a pair of brown shoes, a pencil case and a satchel. Tom wishes that he had a satchel too. Full of warmth and good humour, the happy simplicity of childhood is captured in this richly illustrated, classic picture book about two young children's first experience of school.

Klawde is not your basic cat. He's an emperor from another planet, exiled to Earth. He's cruel. He's cunning. He's brilliant... and he's also Raj Banerjee's best friend. Klawde and Raj are back! As summer turns to fall, our favorite warlord cat remains in his pitiful exiled existence. But Raj has an even scarier prospect than cosmic exile: starting at a new school. And if things didn't seem complicated enough, both cat and human are confronted with two figures from their past they did not expect to pop up in Elba, Oregon... Heavily illustrated, with a hilarious, biting voice that switches between Raj's and Klawde's perspectives, Klawde #2 is the story of an unlikely friendship that emerges as two fish out of water continue to find their footing in strange new worlds.